KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 2 adult, 1 cats Behavior toward strangers: Around strangers, gets used to them before two weeks passes. Behavior toward children: Around children, he hides at first. Behavior toward cats: Around cats, plays gently, is curious, reserved, timid, and prefers contact on his own terms. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: No bite history. Litter box training: Yes. Was in a home with 2 litter boxes, located in the living room. The litter box was covered, scented with clumping clay litter. Energy level/descriptors: Low energy level. Other notes: Sugar Apple is a friendly, quiet, lazy/couch potato, distant, and fearful cat. She is an indoor cat only that enjoys spending his time in the living room and by the window. He loves to way with toys that crinkle and plays gently. Both wet and dry food please! He was used to having two litter boxes that were uncovered and used scented litter. Enjoys getting his coat brushed and is unbothered when held. However, will sometimes growl when nails are clipped.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/12/26 Vol. Sleeping curled up in den. Woke when kennel was opened. Sniffed a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up on the tool, then immediately ate, eventually standing up to finish. Hissed and low growled when tool approached again. Could not be coaxed out of den for more treats. 7/15/26 FB09 Sugar Apple was crouched on top of his den with flattened ears and his tail wrapped close to his body. He cautiously sniffed the treats offered to him before licking them up, returning slow blinks with the handler. He began backing up after eating but allowed head and body pets using the click stick with a tense body. He hissed once the handler closed the door. 7/17/26 Vol. Lying in litter box, head down, napping, eyes reddish, 1/2 open. Approached with pieces of hard food on tool, he ignored. Allowed head scratches with tool, head down, eyes closing, sometimes opening them a little when stopped. Gave plenty of scratches and removed tool. He lifted his head up - so gave a few more scratches and ended interaction. 7/22/26 Vol. Sugar apple was lying curled up at back of cubby. His eyes were squinty, with large pupils. He tolerated brief petting with scratcher tool, scrunching his head down into his shoulders. He watched a pipe cleaner toy for a few moments, then hissed at it fearfully. After removing the toy and speaking to him softly for a bit, he rested his head on his paws. 7/23/26 Vol. Sugar Apple was lying down in the back of the cubby behind the privacy shield. When the cubby door opens, he looks up, body slightly tense, whiskers down, eyes neutral. He scrunches back as crunchy treats are deposited near him, hisses twice, and then passes through the portal onto the ledge, settles back down, facing the portal, tail tightly wrapped around him, sort of trembling, but blinking occasionally. He hissed at the tool extended with the treat. Still adjusting. 

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Sugar Apple should be given a slow introduction to the home, one room at a time starting in a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water. Interact with him in this room until he seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce him to the next part of the home without running the risk that he will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home. Sugar Apple has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide him with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus. Sugar Apple also has Dermatitis and would require a specialized diet and care.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old, Counselor discretion advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Sugar Apple was lying crouched in his den with lowered ears and his tail wrapped around his legs. He let out a hiss before stopping to sniff the treats offered to him, transitioning into a low growl. He quickly stopped growling and repositioned himself in his den, facing the click stick. He accepted extensive petting along his head and back with the click stick, remaining calm and tolerant. He resumed low growling when adding slight pressure to his side but escalated no further. The interaction was ended to reduce FAS. Sugar Apple tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.